End stop for sealing closures



55.12502] F.ZUPF

d M572? f,

July 18, 1950 c. P.KRUPP END STOP FOR SEALING CLOSURES yFiled. Aug, 9'1946 Bril Patented July 18, 1950 END STP FOR SEALING CLOSURES Carroll P.Krupp, Barberton, Ohio, assignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 9, 1946,Serial No. 689,419

14 Claims. (Cl. 24-'205.11)

The invention relates to closures having topstops and especially to endsealing in conjunction with a top-stop.

Objects of the invention are to provide for stopping a slider or runnerat a determinate location and for resisting relative tilting movementbetween the slider and the stop; to provide for retaining the slider atsaid location; to provide effectively for sealing adjacent margins ofthe closure including an end thereof; to provide for continuity ofsealing around such end of the closure and for continuity of support ofthe sealing means around said`end; to provide for sealing by lip-actionat said end while preventing breakage of the seal under iiexure of themargins of the closure; to provide for positioning and stopping theslider while supporting said sealing means around said end; and toprovide for simplicity of construction, convenience of manufacture, andfor effectiveness of operation.'

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Fig. 1 is a plan view from above showing a sealing slide fastenerstructure including a closed end and a top-stop in the closed condition,and constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention, partsbeing broken away,

Fig. 2 is a view like Fig. 1 but showing only the closed end andtop-stop in the partially opened condition, parts being broken away,

Fig. 3 is a plan view from below of the closed end and top-stop in theopen condition, parts being broken away,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line I-'I of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view from above of a bridge-stop element beforeassembly with the sealing slide fastener structure.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, a slidefastener structure I0 effecting sealing by lip-action and having aclosed end I I, is adapted for closing in a separable manner theadjacent margins of apertures in walls of articles such, for example, astobacco pouches,

' wearing apparel, tents, footwear, fluid and bulk material containers,yand other related articles of manufacture; and is adapted especiallyfor assembly as a unitary structure with the articles for convenience ofmanufacture of the fastener as an independent item. The sealing slidefastener structure I0, which may be, if desired, of suitable coloredmaterials to conform to the particular application, has a pair offlexible margins or stringers I2, I3, desirably of plastic material orof woven fabric material such, for example, as cotton, silk, rayon,glass and other fibrousr material, terminating in the closed end. Thestringers have adjacent beaded margins I4, I5 including flexible cordsI6, I6 and II, I'I of suitable brous material attached to the materialof such margins as by stitching I8, I8, or a suitable adhesive such, forexample, as rubber cement, or by both.

Cooperating fastener elements or teeth I9, 26 of stiff material such,for example, as Zinc or aluminum alloy, brass, steel, Bakelite or othermaterial of the desired strength and forming characteristicsare'disposed in series along the margins I4, I5 and are attached to thebeaded margins by engagement with the cords I6, I6 and Il, II and thefabric material of the stringers l2, I3. teeth 2l, 22, respectively,disposed short of the ends of the stringers at the closed end I I. Arunner or slider 23 of brass or other suitable stiff material having apull-tab 24 is slidably movable along the stringers for engaging anddisengaging the teeth and joining the stringers throughout the extent ofa slot 25 defined between the adjacent margins I4, I5, which slotterminates at the closed end Il.

A rigid bridge-stop element 26 of suitable stiff material, preferablymetal, may be die-cast, molded, machined or otherwise formed. Theelement 26 is attached securely to the stringers I2, I3 at the closedend II and bridges the space between the spaced-apart margins of thestringers, providing for the stopping and holding of the runner 23 inthe desired closing position at the end of the slot 25 and formaintaining the stringers in determinately spaced-apart relation. Thebridge-stop element 26 may be of substantially the same thickness anddepth as that of each fastener element, and may be attached as by.clamping at its apertured ends at 27, 28 to the beaded margins of thestringers, as shown especially in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The bridge-stop element 26 includes an indented portion 29 intermediatethe spaced-apart margins I4, I5, which portion 29 may be generally Eachseries of teeth terminates at end stringers.

U-shape in plan and spans the space between the margins I4, I in amanner to receive in its indentation an end portion 3l]v of the runner23. The construction also includes abutment or projecting portions 3|,32 for contacting the runner and extending laterally outward from theends of and in continuation ofthe..r legs ofthe indented Llshapeportion-29 lwith suitably shaped slotted f recesses 33, 34 therein'atthe ends at 21, 28 for embracing the beaded margins I4, I5 and the cordsI6, I6 and II, II as by clamping the same, f as shown especially inFigs. 3 and 6,.thus, prevent,i

ing spreading-apart lateral movement of-the The bridge-stop element 26may be disposed across the slot 25 adjacent the end teeth 2i, 22

` in a manner such that the spacing between'theJ-f end tooth 2I and theprojecting portion .53| of the. l;

element 26 is substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent teethjI 9`,'. I 9 at oneof'the. beaded margins Afor 'facilitating' a' snug.t'a'nd telescopic' engagement-of the bridge'rstop. elementfespeciallythe' .projectinglportions .3I,"32^v thereof,A with the.

runner,'..,as shown especially inFigsfl jandj.

Such; construction and arrangement offthe element v:2li i permits i a.desiredloverlapping. and over.- lyinglrelationlthereof lwith''over'hangin'g portions 23d; respectively, of the runner' 23,JivherebytheV bridge-stop'v element. 26"c'ooper`ate`s with the 'runner in.`resisting .relative tilting movement therebetween,. and'iniaoilitatin'gthe positioning. of the, runner in its. lclosing position"atthe" endo'fthe .Slot 2 5.- f Tlie bridge-stop. element` 2also .co4y operates.Withthe runnerv and asealingele'ment 35 of resilient rlubber, or .other.rubber-like",material in effecting. a sealed 4conditioncontinuouslyabout. the4 closedv end oitheslot 25,. as vdescribed morefully '.hrenaftnf v For. ,sealing l along the stringers and. closing,the end of ,theslot at the bridge-stop .element, the sealingelementiiat. 36 extends along theb'eaded margin vI4.of thestringer I2, and.at..31continu?.

ously about. ,the,close'd end.of' thleslot 25,- andat. 38 .extends.along .the other b'eaded'emargin I'of the., other, stringer...l3.. The.sealing'. element is preferablygenerally, L.shape in` crosssectiom andi, is bonded'tdandmountedat afaceof thestringf; ers .desirably inpartdirectlylupon and.,.bridging the.teeth.l 9 and. 2.0..'and inpartiipon the margins .f5

I4 andrI5..The sealing .element 35 includsa pore;tionat..3.5d;.35bprojecting laterally'y of the Slot Qand.finspacedrelationto theteethI at sa'idrface of the stringere .foracco'rnrnodatinf'g the upper .'plate. of the runner 23 therebetween,which DrOjec-ting portion tapers to an edge .for sealing bylipQ-actionof .the edge of thepo'rtionat 35b.in contact with the. .sealing surface.of the other. portion. latiil attheothefmargin., l The sealing'felement at .SI'extending continubonded to' theouter surface' `2'9 ofthe. indented portion 29er the 'bridge-st'opelement. and includes" itheV tapered portion at 39?'projecting inward'lyf of theslot. in 'spacedrelation tothe bridge-stop I element 26at'said face'of [the 'stringers.The` tapered portion at 391 is in continuation of the other'taperedVportions at 35d, 35lof' thesealing l element.

lQ hanging portions 23a, 23h of the latter overlie the element 26 inbracing and tilt-resisting relation therewithand being united and bondedthroughout-itsputer.. surface 29a with the continuous end pontiongloflthe.-'resilient sealing element, braces Il5,,eiefctivelythe-.sealingelement 35 at 31 against Aobjectionable distortion even under relativelyseverebendingand-twisting of the stringers. Such I 'n bracing y actiontogether With the aforesaid resistance to relative tilting movementbetween the runner.. and lthe y bridge-stop element, prevents breakage4of thel end sealV under exuraofthe. closure by'separatingmovementb'etwen the por-f tion 3l of the sealing Yelement and the runner23. in the. outward `directionrelativeto `saidf'ac'e of the. stringersorstructure IIJ'L", j

mayibedisposed thelspace b'etweenthe' beaded and maybe" integraljwitlrthe sealing element at, 30 SIor closing the space Vand joining the'stringers at the closed end a'rrangerne'ntrlfl:l The stringers I2,'""I3 mayha've thin layers '4h32' of, suitable rubber-like' material adheredtheretd' at, said i ace of the' structure Iiia'nd in' continuationbfthe44V bo'dy'A fand thesealingjelement 35f'ormaki`ng the.

stringers impervious andresistant to. leakage of fluid ,through ,the'fabricrnaterialgand forlfacilitat` ing the independent `adhesive,attachment of Ithe closure to the'wallslof the articles.

40 For. facilitating `retainingA the vl'runner 'in the l closingposition at the bridgeestop element `26, shoulder or blockelements43,'"44 `of suitablefre` silient rubberglike material may be mounted attheother. face'of the structure I0- at the beaded margins ci thestringers ands'ecurely attached to the` latterand-to"thebridgefstopelement, as

shown especially in Figs, 3 and 5. The block ele.- ments. 43,44 aredesirably'bonded to the outer surface 29afof the ibrdge-stopgelemient"26at the' pro-e 0 jecting portions r3 Ig32 and the 'indented' portion29;;l

and project beyond tliebriidge-:stop element'in the' outwarddirectionrelative tosaidothe'r face of the structure III; :as shown especially inFiglg." The block elements kare disposed frictiognallyiengage 55...thelower plate or th'e'runnen-whenth'e latterisin` thel closing; position'with` thef under -faces, of jth'e overhanging portions 2311,J2363"'overlying."the` bridge-stop element .26, thus .facilitating :thejre.- taining of therunner in its closing positionthere-f. by preventingaccidentallbreakage of the; se'alat the closed end of the'slot' 25 underaccidental slid-, ing movement of therunner away from such end? Thestringers and the portions 'at 36,' 38lbf the sealingelement 35 may beunited at the otheiend e-0f the Aslot -25"opposite' theclosedend-II'in"any.

suitable manner for closing. such opposite end. of

theiclosure." ,Tl'iis may be Vjaccornplis'he'cl .byadhering together endportions ,4 5;'4 "of thesealing element 35. in overlappingrhelatiorifto'one another Tlieconstruction andarrangementof thecon-."hand' adheringa sealingjstrip..'{I'Iof4 suitableilfrzy tinuous endportion at A3'I "of th'ealingielement.f 35 and the Ybridge-stop elementZSproVides th desired *bracing relation between. suchfe'lements. 26 and'35"and fac'ilitates'the flexureof the resili" A ient'tapered portionVat 39a'ndY the sealing bylipL'MNS-ij A'Iri'theropeni pervious` fabricmaterial? in Vsuperimposed and; overlappingv relation '.With'the`endA'portions 45;' 46' andthe' stringe'rsA I2, "1I 3,;fas' shown. eSpeciallyinv ng' operation-of the"c1osurej,"' the 1" margins -l 4,1 I Ebeyondthebridge-stop' element 25 ati 5376 slidingly along the stringers towardthe closed end I I and top-stop until the runner engages and overliesthe bridge-stop element 26, as shown especially in Fig. 1. Y v

Such latter movement engages the teethV and draws together the portionsat 36 and 38 of the sealing element in overlapping relation to oneanother with the overlying tapered portion 35h at one lmargin flexed andthe edge thereof sealing by lip-action against the underlying taperedportion 35a at the other margin continuously along the slot 25 and alsoagainst a side .of the upper plate of the runner 23, the edge of theother tapered portion 35a, contacting the other side of the upper plateof the runner. in sealing relation.

The tapered portion 39 of the continuous end portion at 3I being bracedand supported by the bridge-'stop element '2E is flexed outwardlyrelative to the adjacent face of the stringers with its edge sealing bylip-action against the overhanging portions of the upper plate andtheend portion 30 of the runner providing continuity of the sealing aboutthe closed end of the slot and in continuation of the sealing along thestringers, thereby completing the closure of the slot 25. l

The runner 23 in theclosing position engages telescopically with the endteeth 2l, 22 and the.

bridge-stop element 26 and has its end portion 30 positioned in theindentation of the indented portion 29, while 'the projecting portions3I, 32 of the bridge-stop element are disposed between the upper andlower plates of and in contact with the runner 33, all of whichfacilitates eiecting the desired resistance to relative tilting movementbetween'the runner and the bridge-stop element 26, thereby providingiirin support .to the continuous end portion 3'I of the sealing element.The supporting'and stiffening action eiected by the coaction of therunner and bridge-stop element prevents objectionable flexure and unduedistortion of the sealing element at such closed end I I under bendingand twisting of the stringers, and facilitates effective lip-sealingaction continuously about the closed end. With the runner in its closingposition, the shoulder or block elements 43, 44 press resilientlyagainst the adjacent under face of the lower plate element of the runnerand facilitate retaining the runner in such position and resistingaccidental movement of the runner.

The fabric and rubber-like parts of the closure are preferably united byvulcanization under heat and pressure. The hereinabove describedconstruction advantageously provides for conveniently closing andsealing the closure throughout the extent of the slot including the endsof the latter, and for stopping and holding the runner in the desiredclosing position for cooperating with the sealing element to effectsealing at the closed end II, while resisting relative tilting movementbetween the runner and the bridgestop element in addition to resistingobjectionable distortion of the sealing element where the latter extendscontinuously about the closed end of the slot 25.

Variations vmay be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as it is defined lin the following claims,

vI claim:v 11.. A closure for comprising cooperating fastener elementsat said margins'for separably uniting the same, a runner :slidablealongvsaid margins forv engaging and disengaging said fastener elementsand including an overhanging plate portion and an end portionydisposable at the-termination of said fastener elements in the closingposition of the runner, and means including a bridge-stop elementofsubstantially inflexible construction attached to saidmargins adjacentthe termination of said fastener elements and disposed laterally betweensaid margins for maintaining the latter a substantial extent of saidbridge-stop element' `.in bracing relation therewith in said closingposition of the runner to resist relative tilting movement between saidrunner and said bridge-stop element, and a resilient element mounted onsaid bridge-stop element and having a projecting portion terminating inan edge extending over said bridge-stop element in spaced-apart relationthereto providing a recess therebetween to receive therein saidoverhanging plate portion of said runner with said edge of saidprojecting porltion in contact with said overhanging plate portion insaid closing position.

2. A closure for adjacent margins, said closurer comprising cooperatingfastener elements at said m'argins'for separably uniting the same, arunner slidable along said margins for engaging and disengaging'saidfastener elements, a bridge-stop element of substantially inflexibleconstruction attached to said margins adjacent the termination of saidfastener elements and disposed laterally between said margins tomaintain the Inargins in laterally fixed spaced-apart relation and tostop said runner at the closing position of the latter, said runnerincluding an overhanging portion at aface of said margins for overlyingsaid bridge-stop element in bracing relation therewith in said closingposition of the runner to resist relative tilting movement between saidrunner and said bridge-stop element, and resilient means including asurface of resilient rubber-like material at said margins adjacent saidbridge-stop element for yieldably contacting and frictionally retainingsaid runner at said closing position in the overlying relation with saidbridgestop element.

'3.VA closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising cooperatingfastener elementsat said margins for separably uniting the same, arunner slidable along 'said margins for engaging and disengaging saidfastener elements, a bridge-stop `element attached to said marginsadjacent the termination of said fastener elements and disposedlaterally between said margins to maintain the margins in determinatelyspaced-apart relation and to stop said runner at the closing posiftionof the latter, said runner including an over- .runner and saidbridge-stop element, and a blccl;v

adjacent margins', said closure-1 onsaid margins at said face of theclosure and positioned adjacent said'bridge-stop element to pressagainst the under face of said plate element in said closing positionforfrictionally retaining said runner at' said closing position, and aseal-,

ing element extendingalong one of said margins at the other face of theclosure and continuously about said closedend and along the othermargin, said sealing element including a portion at the rst said marginprojecting laterally toward g the' sealing element at said other marginand tapering to an edge for sealing bylip-action of said edge againstsaid sealing element at said other margin,A lthe tapered portion of saidsealin'g'element extending continuously about said closed vend forsealing by lip-action of the edge thereof yagainst said runner and beingattached to said bridge-stop-element atan outer surface of said indentedportion in bracing relation for resisting separating movement betweensaid tapered portion and said runner under ilexure of said margins.

9. A closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising cooperatingfastener elements at said margins for separably uniting the same, arunner slidable along said margins for engaging and disengaging saidfastener elements, and a bridgestop element of substantially inflexibleconstruction attached to said margins adjacent the termination of saidfastener elements and disposed laterally between said margins tomaintain the margins in laterally fixed spaced-apart relation and tostop said runner at the closing position of the latter, said bridge-stopelement presenting a surface facing in a direction normal to a face ofsaid margins, said runner including an overhanging portion presenting asurface facing in the opposite direction for overlying said surface ofsaid bridge-stop element in face-to-face adjacent conforming relationtherewith in said closing position of the runner to resist relativetilting movement in said normal direction between said runner and saidbridge-stop element, and a resilient element supported by saidbridge-stop element and extending over said surface thereof inspaced-apart relation thereto providing a retaining recess therebetweenfor said overhanging portion of said runner in said closing position.

10. A closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising cooperatingfastener elements at said margins for separably uniting the same, arunner slidable along said margins for engaging and disengaging saidfastener elements and including an overhanging portion presenting asubstantially fiat surface facing in the direction normal to and towarda face of said margins and said runner including an end portiondisposable at the termination of said fastener elements in the closingposition of the runner, and a bridge-stop element of substantiallyinflexible construction attached to said margins adjacent thetermination of said fastener elements and disposed laterally betweensaid margins to maintain the margins in laterally ixed spaced-apartrelation and to stop said runner at said closing position, saidbridge-stop element including an indented portion intermediate thespaced-apart margins for receiving said end portion of the runner andincluding a substantially flat surface facing in the opposite directionfor overlying said surface of said overhanging portion of the runner inface-to-face adjacent substantially parallel relation therewith in saidclosing position of the runner to resist relative tilting movement insaid normal direction between said runner and said .bridge-stop element,and a sealing element of resilient rubber having a portion tapering toan edge and mounted to extend over Said flat surface of vcomprisingcooperating fastener elements at said margins for separably uniting thesame, a runner slidable along said margins for engaging and disengagingsaid fastener elements, and a bridgestop=element v'attached to saidmargins adjacent the termination of said fastenerelements and A'disposedlaterally between said margins to maintain the margins laterallyspaced-apart and to stop said runner at the closing position of thelatter, said bridge-stop element presenting an outwardly facing surfaceat a face of said margins, said runner including an overhanging portionpresenting a surface for disposition in overlying and contactingrelation with said surface of said bridge-stop element in said closingposition of the runner, one of said surfaces being of relativelynon-frictional material and the other surface being of elastic frictionmaterial for yieldable frictional engagement with the relativelynon-frictional surface to yieldably and frictionally retain said runnerat said closing position.

12. A closure for adacent margins, said closure comprising cooperatingfastener elements at said margins for separably uniting the same, arunner including a plate element slidable along said margins forengaging and disengaging said fastener elements, and a bridge-stopelement attached to said margins adjacent the termination of saidfastener elements and disposed laterally between said margins tomaintain the margins in laterally spaced-apart relation and to stop saidrunner at the closing positon of the latter, said bridge-stop elementpresenting a surface of resilient rubber-like material facing in thedirection outwardly away from a face of said margins, said plate elementof the runner including an overhanging portion presenting a surface ofrelatively non-frictional material facing in the direction toward saidface of said margins for disposition in overlying and contactingrelation with the resilient surface of said bridge-stop element and foryieldable frictional engagement therewith in the closing position ofsaid runner so as to yieldably and frictionally retain sai'd runner atsaid closing position.

13. A bridge-stop element for a slide fastener closure includingadjacent margins, cooperating fastener elements at said margins forseparably uniting the same, and a runner for engaging and disengagingsaid fastener elements, said bridgestop element comprising a body ofsubstantially inflexible construction having an indentation extendinglongitudinally therein from a face thereof for receiving an end portionof said runner in the closing position thereof and having a portion ateach opposite side of said indentation extending laterally thereof forattachment to said margins at adjacent edges thereof to maintain saidmargins in laterally fixed spaced-apart relation, and said bridge-stopelement including a surface of elastic friction material integrallyunited with said body at a face thereof for yieldably engaging andfrictionally retaining said runner in its clos-

